South African Airways (SAA) is facing a significant challenge in recovering R1 billion ($50 million) stuck in Zimbabwe, mostly from ticket sales. The airline has been in diplomatic discussions with the Zimbabwean government to repatriate the funds, but so far, no progress has been made.

The situation is further complicated by Zimbabwe's ongoing foreign currency shortage, which has affected several other airlines as well. SAA's board chairperson, Derek Hanekom, expressed frustration, stating that "R1.1 billion is not a small amount of money and it's not been easy."

The airline is considering attaching assets in South Africa to recover the trapped funds, and the chairperson of the Parliament Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) is exploring this option. Meanwhile, SAA's chief financial officer, Lindsay Olitzski, revealed that a deal was made for $9 million to stay in Zimbabwe for SAA's local usage, but the remaining $50 million is still pending, with a proposed payment plan of $1 million per quarter.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by airlines operating in countries with foreign currency shortages, and the need for innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles. The outcome of SAA's efforts will be closely watched by the tech and startup community, as it may set a precedent for future collaborations between airlines and governments.